Challengers 8, Frogs 4

The second game of the doubleheader against the Frogs featured better pitching than the first one as the Challengers won again 8-4.

Armin Blickenstorfer">Armin Blickenstorfer>

Catcher Armin Blickenstorfer's grandslam homer was the deciding edge in the Challenger's 8-4 win over the Frogs.

Both teams scored one run apiece in each of the first 5 half-innings, and so the Frogs were leading 3-2 after 2 1/2. They scored once more in the fifth on a double by Steve Klee and a groundout by Piaia to go up 4-2.

Then the Challengers felt a sudden urge to score some runs and they did that in a hurry by putting the first three runners of the fifth inning on base before catcher Armin Blickenstorfer launched his grandslam homer over the left-field fence for a 6-4 lead. It was Blickenstorfer's first homerun of the season. His last three homeruns were all grandslams.

The Challengers further cushioned their lead on Saentis Zeller's two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth.

Starter Roger Brunner pitched a superior game as he gave up just two earned runs on five hits and two walks, striking out six in 4.1 innings. He was relieved by Thomas Landis (1-2) who shut down the Frogs offense as he pitched two shutout innings, earning him his first win of the season. Rookie Benny Räber came in in the top of the seventh with the bases loaded and earned a save by striking out Stefan Lüthy and Ivano Piaia.